Is Byrams stock rising enough where the Rangers consider taking him? I’ll be happy with any of the five players TC mentioned.

I wouldn't be shocked at all to see the Hawks trade with Detroit or Buffalo. Swap first rounders and pick up an extra pick or two. The Hawks would still end up with one of the 5 guys on their list and get extra picks
- biskit67

Bowman has surprised in the past picking prospects rated a little later so it wouldn't surprise me either to see him move the pick for a later pick and pick up something in return. Apparently Vancouver is looking to move up in the draft. I'd just hate to see Vancouver repeat the 1999 draft, get a good solid player and the Hawks get little in return.

Is Byrams stock rising enough where the Rangers consider taking him? I’ll be happy with any of the five players TC mentioned.
- jhawk159

No. It's Kakko all the way and I'll eat my shorts if it isn't.

Bowman has surprised in the past picking prospects rated a little later so it wouldn't surprise me either to see him move the pick for a later pick and pick up something in return. Apparently Vancouver is looking to move up in the draft. I'd just hate to see Vancouver repeat the 1999 draft, get a good solid player and the Hawks get little in return.
- paulr

The only "surprise" I see with Bowman in this spot is Trevor Zegras. He could be the Barrett Hayton of this year's draft.

No. It's Kakko all the way and I'll eat my shorts if it isn't.
- Tyler Cameron

Worn shorts with bacon strips? I'm in on that bet!

I will always want my team to draft the player with the most upside. If that's Byram than they have to draft him.

This notion of who's NHL ready and can contribute immediately always makes me cringe.

It's a rare thing when you see a player who has the tool box to be the best at his position in the frickin NHL especially as a defenseman.

No. It's Kakko all the way and I'll eat my shorts if it isn't.
- Tyler Cameron

Since they traded for Trouba

Bowman has surprised in the past picking prospects rated a little later so it wouldn't surprise me either to see him move the pick for a later pick and pick up something in return. Apparently Vancouver is looking to move up in the draft. I'd just hate to see Vancouver repeat the 1999 draft, get a good solid player and the Hawks get little in return.
- paulr

1st round picks are the highest valued currency of the NHL these days followed by defenceman that can fit into a team's Top 4 and eat huge minutes when the games count most.

So if Stan holds an auction for the #3 overall he had better get a massive return if he moves it. Doubt Vancouver has enough to swing it. ..... But if they want to throw Bo Horvat into the conversation Stan should be all ears.

I see once again Dach is getting no love. This guy might be the best all around hockey player in this draft. Some team lower in the pecking order will be getting a steal.

Biskit - I haven't heard anything about dealing or swapping the 1st round pick but I wouldn't be shocked.

The stars would really have to align though as they are only a few teams I think they would be able to deal with as they wouldn't want to drop too far.
- Tyler Cameron

No way, the Hawks know exactly who they want and are thrilled as poop they get to pick him with the 3rd pick, it's going to be a hell of a deal to make them move from that spot

I am certain Tyler knew the following question would be inherant to the discussion regarding his choice at #3:

How can you justify taking this dman when.the reular season and moreover the playoffs clearly showed the need for tough physical hockey - which Chicago is in a bind since we have few who are willing or capable.to play that way.

Obviously you feel that the Byram's potential is to great to pass up. I understand that. I would have choosen Byram and lived with however his defense turnrd out if we had a few physical forwards on the roster or in the system whom are viewed as future top six forwards.

You also said your choice is not necessarily whom Kelly\Bowman may have decided upon.

Just keep in mind that regular season success may come sooner with a forward taken at #3 than the amount of time before Byram is abke to play accrotable defense. It will be a challenge to find a veteran or to pair each dman prospect with the best possible choice.

My hope is that if Byram then one scenario is that a Carlsson or Murray (from Columbus) could work well enough with any of the dman prospects and in particular Boqvist and Byram.

And if Byram thrn i am not pouting. I would look firward to his development and wonder even more who & when Bowman adds at least one top six forward ....a fitward whom plays with an edge and delivers body checks...
.who engages in puck scrums.

The only "surprise" I see with Bowman in this spot is Trevor Zegras. He could be the Barrett Hayton of this year's draft.
- Tyler Cameron

very intriguing scouting report for Zegras.

To refresh for many of us

Compared to P Kane in his skill set, particularly his vision passing. Although he is not quite Kane's equal at ver very top end skill, Zegras was refetenced as more physical than Kane.

I would not mind if he was drafted #3. But i still feel it is very close with him or Turcotte rsted behind Cozens & Byram. After those players i like Dach, Boldly, Broberg

I see once again Dach is getting no love. This guy might be the best all around hockey player in this draft. Some team lower in the pecking order will be getting a steal.
- Hardbalz

A great value pick.

When there are other prospects you like a whole lot you.might want to take players first whom skate well. Dach is an average skater.

I understand that skating can be not as big a concern if the player knows well and executes well. Nonetheless skating is a concern when the league is getting faster each season.

I see once again Dach is getting no love. This guy might be the best all around hockey player in this draft. Some team lower in the pecking order will be getting a steal.
- Hardbalz

I’ve never watched any of these guys play, but after reading up on all of these players, I would not be surprised at all to see the Hawks select Dach. It sounds like he is a fast, high IQ player with a great all around game.

I think the Blackhawks value hockey IQ first and foremost. Sounds like Zegras and Dach are the two players with the highest level IQ of the 5 guys that could be picked here, so I feel like perhaps one of the them is the pick. Dach just seems to have all of the tools, so I’m not sure why he isn’t getting more love.

I don’t feel like the pick is Byram, I agree with Wiz. I don’t think the Blackhawks compare him favorably to Paul Coffee if they were intending to pick him. I feel like they are pumping his tires to maybe move down a couple of spots and still get their guy.

The only "surprise" I see with Bowman in this spot is Trevor Zegras. He could be the Barrett Hayton of this year's draft.
- Tyler Cameron

My very limited very small nhl employee friend who works for another team believes the Blackhawks are picking Zegras . Just an FYI .

My boy had the Panarin Saad trade before anyone else.

For what its worth.

Hawks need help now. Cozens would very likely contribute at an nhl level now. Dmen take time and the hawks have 3 or 4 they are grooming for the near future. They don’t need another one and don’t have the long term window they have enjoyed for the past 10 years. This could also make AA expendable, which would about cover the cost of Maatta salary. Still have the cash to get another solid dman now.

Byram is the right choice. The Hawks have some great young forward players already

No. It's Kakko all the way and I'll eat my shorts if it isn't.
- Tyler Cameron

It probably is Kakko all the way - but a 1 in 100 (1000 / 10000) chance they don't take Kakko.

The Hawks can't move down in the draft until the Rags make their choice - you'd hate to have them do a deal and then Kakko becomes available. I don't see any Hawks moves until the night of the draft.

My very limited very small nhl employee friend who works for another team believes the Blackhawks are picking Zegras . Just an FYI .

My boy had the Panarin Saad trade before anyone else.

For what its worth.
- mrpaulish

Interesting and wouldn't be a shock if they see Patrick Kane-like skills in the kid.

Missed this yesterday, Tyler:

"Yesterday @ 8:35 AM ET

uno? ...and it is nearly bedtime down here...
- SC116



Nice! Whereabouts are you SC? "

I'm in Perth Western Australia --- but ... and here's the thing ... born and raised in the western suburbs of Chicago -- Wayne's World Land -leastwise it was that county. My foo brother actually drove around Aurora looking for Stan Mikita's donuts ... spoiler alert --- he and his college buds didn't find it (yes - facepalms are allowed). :D
- SC116

Which suburb?

“...The question is whether his skating ability helps cover up his lack of defensive recognition."

He’s being touted as a “can’t miss top pairing defenseman” and yet he lacks defensive recognition? Correct me if I’m wrong, but defensive recognition really ought to be the most important element of a defensman’s game. It’s right there in the name...defense-man.

Personally, I think he’s just the best D-man in a weak class, and his stock is inflated because D-men are so sought after. A month ago nobody had him as the 3rd BPA.

Pass.

Hawks need help now. Cozens would very likely contribute at an nhl level now. Dmen take time and the hawks have 3 or 4 they are grooming for the near future. They don’t need another one and don’t have the long term window they have enjoyed for the past 10 years. This could also make AA expendable, which would about cover the cost of Maatta salary. Still have the cash to get another solid dman now.
- Nmbr1

Cozens is a solid pick, but if they need help now the realistic path would be trading the pick. Moving AA and replacing him with an 18 year old is not going to fix defensive issues or the dreadful PK. Creates another hole for defensive minded forwards up front. I'm not saying I want them to trade the pick, but they won't draft based on trying to slide a kid into their lineup for October.

My very limited very small nhl employee friend who works for another team believes the Blackhawks are picking Zegras . Just an FYI .

My boy had the Panarin Saad trade before anyone else.

For what its worth.
- mrpaulish

If so, they really need to trade back. Zegras will be there at #7 and if he’s not, Krebs will be and grab another pick in the process.

He’s being touted as a “can’t miss top pairing defenseman” and yet he lacks defensive recognition? Correct me if I’m wrong, but defensive recognition really ought to be the most important element of a defensman’s game. It’s right there in the name...defense-man.

Personally, I think he’s just the best D-man in a weak class, and his stock is inflated because D-men are so sought after. A month ago nobody had him as the 3rd BPA.

Pass.
- Ogilthorpe2

Same. Great post.

If so, they really need to trade back. Zegras will be there at #7 and if he’s not, Krebs will be and grab another pick in the process.
- Assman22

Right. I think they’re trying but whow wants to move up that bad? Kings? Sabres ? Who has extra 1st round picks that makes it worth trading up for?
3-10 in this draft seem to be rated all the same across the league.
Hawks may be “stuck” picking who they like best at 3 .


Plus ya never know maybe the Rangers get cute and take Byram